The Oregon Department of Human Services announced Thursday the appointment of a nationally recognized expert to help guide improvements at Oregon State Hospital.

Bob Nikkel, Department of Human Services (DHS) assistant director for additions and mental health services, said Joseph Bloom, M.D., has been named special assistant for mental health in DHS. Bloom will report to Nikkel and DHS Director Bruce Goldberg, M.D.

Bloom is dean emeritus of the Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, and former chairman of the school's Department of Psychiatry. He was trained in community psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and holds a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York state.

"As an energetic, proven professional, Dr. Bloom is uniquely qualified to advise the state on how to get the best outcomes from the millions of dollars Oregon is about to invest to replace the state hospital and strengthen the community mental health system," said Nikkel.

"We are extremely pleased that Dr. Bloom will be joining the Oregon State Hospital," said Goldberg. "I had the privilege of working with him at OHSU and greatly appreciate the expertise he will be bringing to the state's mental health system."